Our Story:
Dealers of Hope USA was born from the unbreakable bond between two individuals determined to redefine possibility—Joey McGlamory and Erika Bogan. Their journey together is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of unwavering support.
They were brought together by a vision created by one of their chosen family—Zack Paben, co-founder of More Heart Than Scars—who set out to help others overcome their obstacles together. Zack and Joey met Erika in 2019, helping her complete her first-ever Spartan race, an experience that set the foundation for their bond and mission.
Erika Bogan’s life changed in an instant when a car accident left her with a spinal cord injury, rendering her a paraplegic. While many saw only the physical challenges she faced, they could not see the deeper battles she fought within. Surviving domestic abuse, navigating complex PTSD, and struggling with suicidal ideation became the true mountains she had to climb. Society fixated on what she could and could not do as a paraplegic, but Erika knew her fight extended far beyond her wheelchair.
Enter Joey McGlamory—a light in Erika’s darkest moments. With a background in personal, rehab, and functional fitness training, Joey had the expertise to help individuals push beyond physical and mental limitations. He now sits on the Board of Directors for Obstacle Course Racing, globally representing USA OCR, WORLD OCR, and the Spartan/Tough Mudder Para Athletic Programs. With a background in personal, rehab, and functional fitness training, Joey had the expertise to help individuals push beyond physical and mental limitations. Where others saw limits, he saw potential. He became her legs, empowering her to push past barriers that many thought were insurmountable. But Joey was no stranger to struggle himself. Having lost loved ones—both in his family and chosen family—to suicide, he understood pain, loss, and the fight against the darkness. He had made it his mission to show others that they can—regardless of what society tells them.
Together, they set out to prove that no mountain—literal or figurative—was too high to climb. In 2022, Joey stood beside Erika as she made history, summiting the tallest free-standing mountain in the world—Mount Kilimanjaro in her wheelchair. Beyond this incredible feat, together with their team of Hope Dealers, they have accomplished numerous other challenges. They completed the World's Toughest Mudder, a grueling 24-hour obstacle course race, and Erika became the first paraplegic wheelchair athlete to ever conquer a Spartan Ultra Race. Their journey has been filled with countless other groundbreaking achievements in the OCR world, continuously pushing the limits of what is possible. It was more than just a climb; it was a symbol of resilience, a triumph over adversity, and a message to the world that no challenge is too great when you have the right people by your side.
After six years of pushing boundaries with More Heart Than Scars, overcoming obstacles, and proving what is possible, their journey led to the creation of Dealers of Hope USA—a global off-shoot of More Heart Than Scars, expanding their mission beyond obstacle course racing to empower individuals worldwide through endurance challenges, extreme adventures, and life-changing feats. More than an organization, it is a movement. We now have multiple adaptive athletes that we have helped and inspired to push past their seen and unseen challenges that they carry. A call to action for those who have been told they are less than. A community that lifts one another up, proving that with unity, courage, and belief, we can rise above any obstacle.
At Dealers of Hope USA, we rise, we climb, we chase the light, we break barriers, and we carry those lost in the fight. Because together, we are unstoppable.